November 2009

Over the past couple months I have been privileged to be involved in promotional and fund raising efforts on behalf of RSVP in Jefferson and Clallam Counites, in connection with the staging of "Dinner And A Murder". This project has been great fun, offering opportunities to meet new (to me) groups of senior volunteers in the community, and to promote professional performing artists in public service to their community. When it became apparent that public health grants supporting my work in Senior Falls Prevention would not be renewed, I found myself more available and so accepted an invitation to help out the dinner theater/auction/fundraiser. This year's production, "Murder in Space", written by director/actor Ramon Dailey, will be staged this weekend, December 5th and 6th at Fort Worden State Park Commons in Port Townsend. I volunteered to write promotional materials in the form of press releases, write and direct mail letters of sponsorship to preferred donor lists and letters for new donor prospects. I put up posters in the windows and on the bulletin boards of just about every public and private establishment in Jefferson County. I maintained my sites, replacing torn down posters (its tough in the world of direct promotion---ask any musician), updating them etc.

The response to the campaign was overwhelming. We sold out the first show (240 seats) in a few weeks and are already approaching 100 seats for the second performance. Considering the economic situation out here on the Olympic Peninsula right now, and the $50 ticket price, it makes a body proud to see people so generously support the work of volunteers in this way. Visiting many of the sites to photograph senior volunteers at work, I was deeply impressed by the scope and passionate attitude of service among senior volunteers here in Jefferson County. Whether it was in the soup kitchens, food banks, libraries, Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building, senior centers or public schools, the senior volunteers spoke enthusiastically and with conviction about their work. I was humbled by their appreciation that I recognized the quality of their efforts and was involved in promoting the raising of resorces for that effort. Volunteers kept appointments to be interviewed and photgraphed at work for photo montages to be used as props during a live auction during the play's intermission. With 2 full bars flowing and lots of good food, the donations will hopefully pour in when crowds of people who acted boldly and bought tickets will "go where no one has gone before."

December 3rd, 2009 Port Townsend

Despite the aforementioned drought in public health grants, the Senior Falls Prevention Coalition is alive and well on the North Olympic Peninsula, though plans have been temporarily shelved for additional training sessions in Blyn and Forks for excercise instructors for the SAIL program. Approximately 32 SAIL instructors were certified in two training sessions in Port Townsend and Port Angeles this year. Senior exercise classes are being at Olympic Medical Center in Sequim and Port Angeles as well as at Port Townsend Athletic Club, Evergreen Fitness and Jefferson Healthcare in Port Townsend.

When you're short of resources (like travel budgets), you work with what you have in hand, which for me has involved more face to face networking with existing agencies in efforts to raise awareness of senior falls prevention. OlyCap, the non-profit agency that houses my office, runs energy conservation programs that include Vista Americorps volunteers conducting home energy audits. Agency personnel in this program have agreed to focus on seasonal hazards of increased risk of falls by seniors due to decreased daylight, slippery mossy surfaces, ice, space heater extension cords and drowsiness brought on by the short dark days of winter. Auditors now provide, along with an energy audit, advice in the form of an informal safety check on their winter habits, including advice about making sure they refresh the airsupply in the home and avoid clutter around heating sources, which could lead to falls (or fire). Snow removal was a critical liability last year.

My second year of service beigns December 12th. I hope it is as rewarding as the first. A new grant and work plan are under development at this time. Hope all you Vistas are staying happy and healthy.